Josh Ball is the Systems Administrator for Hawkins County 911 in Tennessee, where he oversees critical technology supporting emergency communications. With extensive experience in IT, cybersecurity, and public safety communications, he manages key systems including computer-aided dispatch (CAD), networking, and security infrastructure vital to 911 operations.

Josh has played a central role in advancing the district’s technology strategy, focusing on resilience, security, and innovation. Under his leadership, Hawkins County 911 and his team were recognized with the 2025 Technology Leadership Award for small districts at the APCO conference in Baltimore, highlighting their success in modernizing public safety systems.

Dedicated to leveraging technology to enhance emergency response, Josh continues to drive innovation in public safety communications. His work reflects a commitment to ensuring reliable, secure, and effective technology solutions that support the mission of 911 and the communities it serves.

Michael has worked for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville for 25 years. The last 15 years he has spent working for the Department of Emergency Communications where he serves in the role of Systems Advisor II for the Technology Division. In his current role, Michael manages and maintains DEC’s 9-1-1 phone system, the administrative phone system, and all telephony related products, services, and infrastructure.

Michael is an APCO Registered Public Safety Leader (RPL) graduate as well as an APCO Certified Public Safety Executive (CPE) graduate. He is also the 1st Vice President of the Tennessee APCO Chapter.

Megan Bixler has over 24 years of experience focusing on technology development for the public sector. She's a veteran of the US Army where she was a Signals Intelligence Analyst specializing in telemetry analysis and space operations. After a brief stint at Lockheed Martin, Megan supported the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) by rapidly prototyping first responder technologies. She has worked with APCO International for over eight years as the Standards Program Manager, APCO Consulting Services Program Manager, and Technical Program Manager. She is currently APCO's Senior Technology Strategist, providing the public safety communications industry with support and information about data sharing, cybersecurity, and NG9-1-1.

Patrice has served in public safety communications for 23 years, with the Metropolitan Nashville Department of Emergency Communications. She serves as an Assistant Director, overseeing Support Services for the department. Patrice is passionate regarding team member development and mentoring the next generation of leaders. She has public-safety designations as a CPE, ENP, RPL, and CMCP.

Stephen Devine is the Chief Technology Officer at APCO. He is a Life Member of APCO International committed to APCO’s success and affirming its role as a leader in advocating next generation public safety communications capabilities. Stephen has supported public safety communications for nearly 40 years in dispatch operations, spectrum management, and Project 25 technologies within the State of Missouri and APCO International.

Jeff began his career as a Geographer for the US Census Bureau in Los Angeles, contributing to the decennial census. Seeking new challenges, he eagerly joined VESTA 911 as a GIS Solution Engineer, working closely with GIS departments nationwide to design and implement call handling and GIS applications. His expertise and dedication led him to account management and deployment roles within the company.

Jeff expanded his horizons by venturing into different industries, including Cloud solutions specializing in eCommerce, Logistics, and Medical Health Records management.

In 2019, Jeff returned to the Public Safety industry, joining Motorola Solutions. With over 12 years of experience in Public Safety, he furthered his professional development by earning a NENA ENP certificate in 2022. Currently, Jeff serves as a Product Manager for Motorola Solutions' suite of Cloud, AI, and GIS products, where he approaches customer problem-solving and design from a holistic and human-focused perspective. He consults within the company and acts as a subject matter expert, helping customers implement integrated systems and achieve success. In his spare time, he consults as a winemaker and IT professional at Oso Libre, his family winery in Paso Robles, California.

I am Natalie Heneks, Division Manager with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. I began my career with PBSO in 1995, as a Communications Trainee, and I have spent my career here at PBSO, now overseeing one of the largest PSAPs in the State of Florida. Recently, I completed my Master's in Public Administration, and I am proud to be a graduate of CPE 17 (the best class). This journey has given me a deep understanding of all the roles within the field of Emergency Communications. There are two principles I wholeheartedly embrace, the first is finding the potential in our people, and the second is always looking ahead and being willing and ready to change and grow.

Over the years, I have witnessed the technological changes that have become a routine part of Emergency Communications. One key lesson I have learned is that innovation is crucial in the business world, and it is equally vital in our field and often overlooked. Embracing technological innovation is essential for supporting our staff and advancing the profession of Emergency Communications. Knowing when to implement new technology and finding the right balance is crucial for a successful organization.

I am excited about the opportunity to share the knowledge I've gained with all attendees of the APCO AI Summit. While technology is an essential tool for progress, it is vital to keep the human element at the forefront of our discussions. I look forward to engaging with fellow participants and contributing to a collective vision that integrates innovation while upholding our shared values.

Jeremy Hill is an esteemed professional with over twenty-five years of dedicated service in Public Safety, where he has established himself as a subject matter expert on 9-1-1 and NG9-1-1. His extensive experience in the fire service includes seven years as an Emergency Communication Center director and over fifteen years as a Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Instructor, where he has consistently demonstrated his expertise in public safety.

Jeremy's role as the past president of TX-APCO and as an APCO Executive Council representative from 2021 to 2023 showcases his commitment to advancing the industry on both state and national levels. His proficiency extends beyond operational knowledge, as he is also an Emotional Intelligence (EI) practitioner through Multi-Health Systems (MHS), further enriching his skill set.

Throughout his career, Jeremy has taught classes and courses at various prestigious institutions such as Navigator, APCO, and NENA. He has served on various panel discussions nationwide, solidifying his reputation as a respected voice within the public safety community. Jeremy uses this public safety expertise as a Public Safety Advisor for the Office of Public Safety Communications (OPSC) inside the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

Crystal Lawrence joined the APCO Communications Center and 9-1-1 Services (CC9S) staff in 2011 and is currently the Director of ECC Engagement. In this capacity, Crystal supports various APCO initiatives designed to assist ECCs, including the APCO Project RETAINS Staffing Toolkit and NG9-1-1 Training. She began her public safety journey in 1996 and, before joining APCO, worked in two Emergency Communications Centers in Wake County, North Carolina, holding positions from Telecommunicator to Director. Crystal holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from North Carolina Wesleyan College.

Kevin McNulty is co-founder and president of NetWeave Social Networking, a digital marketing agency in Palmetto, Florida.  He is also a professor of digital marketing at State College of Florida and was recently a featured speaker at TEDx Bradenton.

Kevin has been a guest lecturer at the University of South Florida, New College, and St. Leo University, and is frequent speaker for dozens of professional associations. He also sits on the Board of Directors of the Florida Festivals & Events Association, and the Manatee Chamber of Commerce’s Technology Committee.

Kevin received his degree in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton, where he was also a research assistant in industrial and marketing psychology.  Before co-founding NetWeave in 2009, he worked for over 20 years in corporate training and communications and served in the US Army.

Robin Moore plays a key role in shaping Eventide Communications’ Critical Insights AI platform, bringing advanced analytics, quality assurance, and operational insight to emergency communications centers. She brings hands-on experience guiding AI solutions from concept through pilot to launch, working closely with end users to ensure tools are practical, intuitive, and effective in real-world 9-1-1 environments. With a strong focus on user-centered innovation and clear communication, Robin bridges the gap between advanced technology and the daily needs of telecommunicators, supervisors, and agency leaders. In addition to her work at Eventide, Robin serves on the iCERT Board of Directors, contributing to broader industry collaboration and innovation in public safety technology.

Tenea Reddick serves as Director of Baltimore City’s 9-1-1 Communications Center, one of Maryland's busiest PSAPs, handling over 1.3 million calls annually. With more than 24 years of experience, rising from call taker to director, she has led major initiatives in technology modernization, workforce development, and statewide policy through service on multiple platforms. Her accomplishments include strengthening emergency response coordination, advancing behavioral health diversion programs, and driving innovation in NG9-1-1 technology. Reddick’s ongoing goal is to enhance public safety communications through integration, efficiency, and community trust.

Sean Scott is the CTO of SecuLore, an Exacom company. With over 35 years as a technology innovator and cybersecurity solutions architect, Sean Scott has been instrumental in designing SecuLore’s patented cybersecurity solution, a combination of proprietary next-generation hardware and software offered as a service through their Maryland security operations center (SOC).

As CTO of SecuLore, Sean Scott has led the charge in responding to the evolving cyberthreat landscape of our nation’s public safety and critical infrastructure needs. SecuLore Cyber Solutions establish a new layer of cyber defense.

Sean provides expert insights and guidance to the public safety and critical infrastructure sectors by speaking in person and presenting webinars on a plethora of topics to improve cybersecurity awareness and foster cyber resilience.

In recognition of his cybersecurity insight, Sean has been asked to lend thought leadership by contributing to the advancement of cyber policy through participation in Maryland’s 9-1-1 commission, the subcommittee for cybersecurity and technology, as well as the MD 9-1-1 board cybersecurity subcommittee. To help further define cybersecurity best practices and procedures, Sean has been appointed to sit on the FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability, the Interoperability Council (CSRIC) IX and iCERT Cyber Security Working Group Co-Chair.

His expertise in leading technical organizations has been proven. Sean spent 16 years taking Resilience Corporation from a Silicon Valley startup to a global firewall company.

A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Sean served the mission of securing our nation as an electronic warfare specialist.

Matthew Schwartz is the Chief Technology Officer at Eventide Communications, where he leads the design and development of mission-critical recording solutions deployed across public safety, air traffic control, and defense organizations in over 49 countries. With over two decades of experience in engineering and systems architecture, Schwartz brings deep technical expertise in real-time Linux environments, high-volume multimedia processing, and complex telephony protocols, including VOIP, RTP, and SIP. He is the principal architect of Critical Insights AI, Eventide’s AI-powered platform designed for public safety agencies. This advanced suite integrates seamlessly with Eventide’s NexLog DX-Series recorders to deliver automated quality assurance, telecommunicator stress monitoring, and real-time transcription, equipping 911 centers with intelligent tools that improve operational performance and support frontline personnel. Schwartz continues to lead Eventide’s innovation strategy, ensuring the company’s solutions remain secure, scalable, and aligned with the evolving needs of mission-critical communications.

Rosi Smith serves as the APCO Standards Program Manager, bringing extensive international experience to her role. She spent 29 years overseas, including 25 years with the U.S. Department of State in the Foreign Service. Her career began as Travel and VIP Visit Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, Spain, followed by Foreign Service positions as Office Manager in Ecuador, Mexico, and Finland.

Upon returning stateside, Rosi continued her public service career with the Texas Division of Emergency Management and later the American Red Cross. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her dogs, traveling to visit her daughter, son and daughter-in-law, and savoring her husband's culinary creations.

Deputy Executive Director, Orleans Parish Communication District Teresa Thompson has dedicated more than 23 years of her professional career to public safety communications, celebrating 24 years of continuous service this October. Beginning in 2001, Teresa served fifteen years with the New Orleans Police Department before continuing on with Orleans Parish Communications District in 2016, following the consolidation of the city’s police, fire, and EMS communication departments. At OPCD, she continued to rise through the ranks into senior leadership and now serves as the organization’s Deputy Executive Director. Teresa also currently serves as President of the Louisiana NENA Chapter, holds both the Registered Public-Safety Leader (RPL) and Certified Public-Safety Executive (CPE) designations, and is actively pursuing her Emergency Number Professional (ENP) certification.

Throughout her career, Teresa has been recognized for her leadership in training, compliance, and accreditation, and continues to serve as a mentor and advocate for the public safety community.

Howard Waltzman advises some of the nation's leading technology companies, service providers, manufacturers and trade associations in regulatory, compliance and legislative matters, including with respect to artificial intelligence; privacy; cyber-security; and communications services; as well as other complex public policy issues involving technology.

Howard drafts regulatory pleadings and license applications; federal and state legislation, Congressional testimony and legislative history; and compliance programs. He appears personally before Members of Congress, Cabinet department officials, FCC and FTC Commissioners, and key Congressional, Administration, FCC and FTC staff, and has testified personally at legislative hearings across the nation.

Howard also advises clients and assists them in presenting their positions during FCC and FTC rulemakings, Department of Justice and Congressional investigations, FTC enforcement actions and throughout the legislative process. Howard has prepared many witnesses for testimony at Congressional hearings and helped managed document production requests, including subpoenas, from Congressional investigators. He also represents clients in investigations and enforcement actions conducted by State Attorneys General.

Before joining Mayer Brown, Howard served as Chief Telecommunications and Internet Counsel for the US House Energy and Commerce Committee. He also previously served as General Counsel for Senator Sam Brownback.